Diligent Q&A - Navigating AI in Governance with Insights from Deisha Thomas
As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, governance and legal teams face mounting pressure to harness these innovations while maintaining robust oversight and compliance. With Diligent's Modern Governance Virtual Summit quickly approaching, we had the opportunity to speak with Deisha Thomas, Legal Operations Consultant at Kailera, about the challenges and opportunities AI presents in the governance landscape.
Q. Hi Deisha! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in legal operations?
A. Hi! My name is Deisha Ling Thomas, also known as Deisha Ling Vazquez. I have over 25 years of experience in the legal industry, and I currently support an in-house legal team at Kailera as Legal Operations Professional. Kailera is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, where I provide strategic advice on initial contract process improvements, legal technology and vendor selection. I’m also standing up the company’s contracting function by creating standardized processes and automation. Additionally, I serve as Head of Community for Legal Operators, which has given me a broad perspective on how different organizations are approaching legal operations.
Q. What are the most significant challenges that legal and governance teams face when adopting AI, and how can they overcome these hurdles?
A. From my perspective, some of the biggest challenges when adopting AI are data privacy and security, navigating regulatory issues, especially in highly regulated industries like healthcare, biopharmaceuticals and financial services, and stakeholder buy-in. To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to have proper training in place, establish clear AI policies and governance that outline risks, risk management processes, and define roles and responsibilities. Cross-collaboration between different departments is also vital. This includes working closely with compliance, data privacy and operational business functions to address potential risks and ensure a cohesive approach.
Q. How can growth-stage companies leverage AI-enabled reporting and workflows to enhance their governance and legal operations?
A. Leveraging data and analytics from AI-enabled reporting and workflows can significantly enhance governance and legal operations for growth-stage companies. A good starting point is contract automation, which can help reduce time spent on low-value tasks and costs while providing a single source of truth. Utilizing AI-enabled board governance automation dashboards and reporting can also streamline processes and improve decision-making.
Q. How can organizations ensure compliance and manage risk when adopting AI technologies in their legal and governance processes? What best practices can you recommend?
A. It's essential to create and implement a comprehensive AI code of conduct, AI governance framework and complete regular risk assessments. Organizations should establish clear policies around incident management, data privacy and security. Once these policies are in place, it's crucial to have clear auditing procedures and updates as AI continues to evolve rapidly.
I also recommend investing in extensive training and upskilling programs for teams. Bringing in AI experts for hands-on training can be particularly valuable as it allows teams to gain practical experience with AI tools and technologies, understand how to apply them effectively in their specific context and learn from experts who have real-world experience implementing AI solutions. Additionally, having clearly defined roles and responsibilities, along with an established committee comprising representatives from different departments, can help ensure proper checks and balances.
Q. For lean teams, what are the most effective ways to implement AI solutions without compromising on compliance and professional standards?
A. The key is focusing on human-AI collaboration, where AI is used to enhance the work of people, not replace them. It's about creating an environment that encourages exploration and testing within clear guidelines, policies, and governance. Providing basic training in a psychologically safe environment can help teams feel comfortable using AI tools. It's also important to have a strategic plan and governance framework in place. And remember, it's okay to start small and iterate over time.
Q. Looking ahead, how do you envision AI continuing to shape the future of governance and legal operations? What steps should organizations take now to prepare for these changes and stay ahead of the curve?
A. I think AI is going to continue to free up time for more strategic tasks and initiatives. As it evolves at a rapid pace, organizations need to foster a culture of continuous learning, training, and demoing products to stay ahead. Establishing a dedicated person, department, or committee for AI oversight will be crucial in navigating both the benefits and challenges that come with AI adoption.
